St. Mary's takes two in softball

On Thursday night St. Mary’s took the field against the GFW Thunderbirds and in a tight contest, defeating them 10-9 in eight innings. Maddy Helget pitched for the win.

The Knights took a two-run lead into the seventh inning, but GFW scored two to tie. St. Mary’s could not muster any runs in the bottom of the seventh and the game went to extra innings. The Thunderbirds scored three in the top of the eighth and things didn’t look good for the hometown girls, but their bats came alive and plated four runs to win the game. Deonna started the winning frame with a single, Maddy Helget drew a walk.

Emily Schumacher advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Mandee Heiderscheidt walked to load them up. Jenna Hose dumped a Texas leaguer into center and the GFW center fielder misplayed the ball. With speed on the bases, three runs scored to tie the game with Hose representing the winning run on second base. Karissa Fleck struck out, bringing Laura Pelzel to the plate, who stroked a single up the middle. Hose moved to third and Pelzel took second on the throw to third. Bethany Berkner hit a short single for the game-winning RBI.

Game stats

Mandee Heiderscheidt: 2/3, 4 runs, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB

Maddy Helget: 2/4, 1 run, 1 2B, 1 BB

Jenna Hose: 2/4, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 BB

Laura Pelzel: 2/4, 1 run, 1 BB

Bethany Berkner: 2/5, 2 RBI

Deonna Brinkman: 1/1, 1 run

Maddy Helget (W): 8 innings, 9 runs (7 earned), 9 hits, 4 strikeouts, 5 BB

St. Mary’s 13, Lester

Prairie-Holy Trinity 11

The Knights played a home game Friday against the Lester Prairie-Holy Trinity Bulldogs. It was another high scoring game for St. Mary’s. The Knights took a four-run lead into the seventh and this time were able to hold on to win, even though the Bulldogs scored two in the top of the inning to mount a threat. The score was tied 10-10 going into the sixth inning, but St. Mary’s put up three in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. Laura Pelzel went the distance on the mound for the win. “This was a great win from behind,” said St. Mary’s head coach Wendy Owens. “We were down early and the girls were able to get their bats going.”

Game stats

Deonna Brinkman: ½, 2 runs, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 2 BB

Karissa Fleck: 2/4, 3 runs

Jenna Hose: 2/4, 1 runs, 1 RBI, 1 2B

Laura Pelzel (W): 7 innings, 11 runs (8 earned), 13 hits, 2 strikeouts, 1 BB